059 – Simon Phillips (Toto / Protocol II): Blending Technical and Musical
In this podcast I talked to the great Simon Phillips, best known for his work with Toto (20+ years) not to mention other musical greats such as Jeff Beck, The Who, Judas Priest, Tears for Fears, Mike Oldfield, and Gary Moore, among others.
Simon’s info (From Wikipedia)
Phillips began to play professionally at the age of twelve in his father’s (Sid Phillips) Dixieland band for four years. He was then offered the chance to play in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. He quickly became a sought-after session player and in 1992, he released two instructional videos displaying some of his best work.
Phillips found an early prominence as the drummer on the 1976 LP 801 Live with Phil Manzanera and Brian Eno.[2] He replaced Judas Priest drummer Alan Moore on the band’s Sin After Sin album (1977) and went on to record Michael Schenker‘s 1980 debut album The Michael Schenker Group.
Phillips has performed and recorded with a wide array of musicians including Big Jim Sullivan, Pete Townshend, Big Country, Toto, Steve Lukather and Los Lobotomys, Jeff Beck, Whitesnake, Jack Bruce, David Gilmour, Frank Zappa,[3] Brian Eno, Duncan Browne, Toyah, Mike Oldfield, Jon Anderson, Bonnie Tyler, Trevor Rabin, Gary Moore, 10cc, Mick Jagger,Ph.D., Joe Satriani, Russ Ballard, Mike Rutherford, Phil Manzanera, John Wetton, flamenco guitarist Juan Martin, Asia, Stanley Clarke, Jimmy Earl, Derek Sherinian, Nik Kershaw, Gordon Giltrap, Camel, Jordan Rudess and Tears For Fears.
He was the drummer for The Who in their 1989 American reunion tour, and appeared on solo recordings by band members Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend.
Phillips has played on, co-produced, and mixed five Derek Sherinian solo records – Inertia (2001), Black Utopia (2003), Mythology (2004), Blood of the Snake (2006), andOceana (2011). He also co-produced and mixed two albums by Mike Oldfield. Phillips also appeared with Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood and others in the video for the 1983 A.R.M.S. concert benefit for Ronnie Lane. In the early 1980s, Phillips formed part of RMS with fellow session musicians, Mo Foster and Ray Russell.
He has released four studio albums of varying styles.
In 2006, Phillips released a DVD with his jazz band, Vantage Point, called Resolution with writer and pianist Jeff Babko, trumpeter Walt Fowler, saxophonist Brandon Fields and bassist Alphonso Johnson.
“A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today. The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer.” – Nolan Bushnell
In this podcast you’ll hear Simon Phillips talk about:
- How he got started with drumming
- His approach to practicing and technique
- How he got the Toto gig
- His advice for drums who want to make a career in music
- Why technique is important to making music and vise versa
- Much more
Resources and Links Mentioned:
Simon Phillips’: Website | Facebook | Twitter
Hiromi Jazz Trio
Protocol II
Simon’s Gear:
Tama Drums
Zildjian Cymbals
Remo Drumheads
Pro Mark Drumsticks
Shure Microphones
XL Specialty Cases